Pope Francis Reaches Out to Flood Victims in South Sudan’s Malakal Diocese with Donation

Some of the items donated include plastic sheeting, blankets, sleeping mats, and tents.

At least 800,000 people have been affected by rising waters across South Sudan since May, according to a press release of the United Nations (UN). 

Villages, homes, roads, farms and markets have been covered by water, forcing families to move to higher grounds where they can find safety. Some have sought refuge in neighboring towns.

According to the December 9 news report, “Bentiu is home to the country's largest camp for displaced persons (IDPs). More than 120,000 people have found shelter in the camp, under UN auspices, since the civil war in 2013.”

In their August 2021 Humanitarian Snapshot, officials of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said six States in South Sudan have been most affected by the floods. 

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The UNOCHA officials added that the humanitarian situation has been worsened by the incessant violence, food insecurity and COVID-19, which has reportedly infected 12,064 people in the country, among them 30 deaths and 11,617 recoveries. 

According to The New Humanitarian, South Sudan is experiencing its worst food crisis since it gained independence in July 2011.

On September 2, religious leaders in Western Equatoria State, one of the regions experiencing intercommunal violence, said the people of God who are experiencing “a great humanitarian tragedy” are in urgent need of food and medicine.

The faith-based leaders also condemned the violence that has reportedly led to the loss of at least 200 human lives.

In October, the Vatican sent $75,000 as an emergency response to the Diocese of Malakal. The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said the support was intended to express Pope Francis' closeness to the people.

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception marked December 8, in Piazza di Spagna in Rome, Pope Francis, who has said that these people who are victims of war and climate change are close to his heart, raised his prayers to the Lord for them, the December 9 report indicates.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.